Great Indian Bustard Conservation Receives Boost with Wild Release
Source:PIB ↗
આ શા માટે મહત્વનું છે
The Great Indian Bustard is one of India's most critically endangered avian species, making its conservation breeding and reintroduction programs crucial for biodiversity management and wildlife policy assessment.
સારાંશ
The Union Environment Minister released two captive-bred male Great Indian Bustards into the wild at the Desert National Park in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, representing a vital advance in species recovery and conservation efforts for India's critically endangered state bird of Rajasthan.
મુખ્ય મુદ્દા
- Union Environment Minister released two male Great Indian Bustards (GIBs) into the wild at Desert National Park, Jaisalmer.
- This marks a significant milestone in the ex-situ to in-situ conservation breeding program for the critically endangered Great Indian Bustard.
- The species faces severe threats from habitat degradation and overhead power transmission lines in its desert habitats.
મહત્વપૂર્ણ શબ્દો
Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972
A landmark Indian legislation providing for the protection of wild animals, birds, and plants, and for matters connected therewith or ancillary or incidental thereto, divided into several schedules offering varying degrees of legal protection.
UPSC context
UPSC Prelims/Mains (GS Paper III): Core environmental legislation tested for species scheduling, protected areas, and statutory bodies like the NBWL.
Desert National Park
A premier protected area located in Rajasthan's Thar Desert, known for its fragile ecosystem and serving as a critical natural habitat for India's critically endangered state bird, the Great Indian Bustard.
UPSC context
UPSC Prelims: Important national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, biogeographic zones, and endemic species distribution (especially arid ecosystems).
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
The apex central government ministry in India responsible for planning, promoting, coordinating, and overseeing the implementation of environmental and forestry policies, biodiversity conservation, and wildlife protection programs.
UPSC context
UPSC Prelims/Mains (GS Paper II/III): Central institutional setup, governance structures, and policy execution for environmental and wildlife administration.
સંલગ્ન સ્થિર ખ્યાલો
What are the legal protection status and key ecological traits of the Great Indian Bustard (GIB)?
- IUCN Status: Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List due to extremely low population and severe habitat loss.
- Legal Protection: Listed under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, offering the highest level of legal protection in India.
- Distribution: State bird of Rajasthan, primarily found in the arid grasslands and Thar Desert ecosystems.
- Threats: Heavy-bodied terrestrial bird with poor frontal vision, making overhead high-voltage power lines a primary cause of mortality.
આંતર-વિષય પેટર્ન
Renewable Energy Transmission vs. Wildlife Conservation
The Supreme Court directive to underground power lines in GIB habitats highlights the intersection of judicial activism, renewable energy push, and wildlife conservation.
CAMPA Funds and Species Recovery Programmes
Ex-situ conservation breeding programs like those for the GIB and Cheetah rely heavily on National CAMPA funds and multi-institutional cooperation.
GIB status, powerline collision threats, and Schedule I protection under WPA 1972 frequently appear in multi-statement prelims questions.
સંલગ્ન PYQ · 2
સંલગ્ન PYQ · 2
- 2020PrelimsGS1
With reference to India's Desert National Park, which of the following statements are correct? 1. It is spread over two districts. 2. There is no human habitation inside the Park. 3. It is one of the natural habitats of Great Indian Bustard. Select the correct answer using the code given below:
- 2017PrelimsGS1
In India, if a species of tortoise is declared protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, what does it imply?
